A close friend and I were talking about some issues in her life and she asked me if I ever felt like I've been in a dark hall feeling for a light switch that can’t be found or if I've woken up in the morning and felt like life really wasn’t all that. I told her I sure have felt like that - it's called depression.

People don’t like to talk about being depressed because, well, it's depressing. There’s still a shadow of shame that overlays peoples’ perceptions of someone who battles the darkness of depression. The sufferer keeps it hidden and locked away, though it is always present. It walks with you, talks with you and sleeps with you, if it even lets you sleep. It impacts how you interact with people, family and friends. You stop feeling anything but an never ending numbness. The feeling becomes a way of life – an obsession. Depression robs you of hope, beauty, confidence, life and love. Depression can last a day or a week, or for some, a lifetime. So, now that I have you all depressed (see, it does make you depressed) how can depression be healed? The answers sound easy, but the actual work is very hard. Someone I truly respect, love and admire once admitted to me she suffered from horrible depression and often thought about ending her own life. This woman is highly successful in her personal and professional life. No one would have guessed she was suffering, it was so well hidden. She shared how she got help from an excellent therapist, went on antidepressants and was able to work through the issues that caused her to feel so hollow. She said she chose love. She chose to love herself and her family and take steps to heal. Like my friend, I have fought depression at certain times in my life and because of her openness and honesty I found the courage to take my first step in healing. I decided to choose love and sought professional help and found an incredibly wise counselor and began to learn to care for myself. This means loving and forgiving yourself with all your faults, cracks, and imperfections.

How many of you can honestly say you love and care for yourself and I mean love yourself like you would a close family member or good friend. How many of you can take a compliment with a simple thank you? Someone recently complimented me on a dress I was wearing. I never wear dresses, so I was already out of my comfort zone. When she said I looked great, I found myself pointing out how big my butt looked in the dress. She looked at me so strangely and said to me, can you not see how absolutely beautiful you are. It was an aha moment for me and I share this so that if you are feeling negative, hopeless, and depressed, choose love and start to care for yourself. There is no shame in what you’re feeling. Even if you aren’t depressed, choose love. I have the privilege of knowing some of the most incredible people in the universe and many have suffered from depression, many haven’t, some have happy lives, some don’t, but all have chosen love. It’s a choice you have to make every day, day in and day out. Still, there are times when I wake up and I don’t want to choose love. I whine to the universe asking why me, why do I have to do this? Then I stop, breathe deep, count every blessing in my life and choose love once again. I choose to believe in love, to open myself and be healed by love. And then I'm healed once again with a warm and healing light. So, at times when the world seems to have lost it's sparkle and I think my butt is too big, I still choose love and see myself how my friend saw me and how I see you – absolutely beautiful! My choose love wishes for you. ~ That if you’re battling depression, choose love, be brave and take the steps you need to get help. There is no shame in being depressed. It takes a brave person to take steps to heal. And, remember we are here for you. ~ You choose love, every morning, every day, all day long and all your life. ~ You open your heart to new ways of thinking about yourself. Shed a bright light into yourself and see those wonderful things you may not even know you possess. Bring them into the brightness of day. ~ As you choose love, be courageous and take a step out of your comfort zone. Recently, we were at a beautiful peaceful lake and I was talked into trying Kayaking. I don’t swim and I was so terrified I had a panic attack on the water. But soon I got the hang and rhythm of using the paddle. I did it without any mishaps or broken bones!! This may sound like a small thing, but for me it took a lot of courage. I challenge you, with love of course, to step out of your comfort zone. You’ll know what to do when you step up and out. ~ Know that always, always, always, I count you as some of the most incredible people in the universe. You inspire, guide and motivate me. You share your lives and your love with me. For that, I’m always filled with gratefulness. As always, with infinite love and gratitude,Teri